Multipurpose reusable support device

ABSTRACT

A multipurpose reusable support device is provided. The device includes a horizontal support member and a vertical support member connected at an intersecting pivot point to establish a support angle. The horizontal support member and the vertical support member are connected via an adjustable support member such that the device forms a shape substantially similar to a triangle. The adjustable support member may further include an adjustable ratchet configured to adjust the length of the adjustable support member which in turn adjusts the support angle to fit the needs of a user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 63/341,059 filed May 12, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

COPYRIGHT AND TRADE DRESS NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright or trade dress protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter that is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to structural support devices, and more specifically, to a multipurpose reusable support device for providing temporary structural support to a member such as for formwork.

2. Description of Related Art

This background information is intended to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art and may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art that is not to be construed as limiting the disclosure of the present application.

Concrete is regularly used for various types of construction projects. For example, concrete can be used for structural support or as a foundation. However, when concrete is initially mixed, it is a thick viscous liquid that will not hold its shape without help. Formwork is commonly used for support in concrete construction. The formwork helps mold the concrete to the desired size and shape by containing the concrete while it sets.

For the formwork to be effective, it needs to be strong enough to support the weight of the concrete without deforming. Any deformation in the formwork allows the concrete to flow into an unintended shape while it sets. This could have a significant overall impact on the construction project and result in significant loss in time and money to redo.

A common material used in formwork is waste lumber because it is cost-effective, lightweight and durable. However, the use of lumber creates additional waste because the lumber is no longer usable after the concrete has set. The use of lumber as support for formwork is also labor intensive and creates a higher risk of injury.

Accordingly, although great advances have been made in the area of structural support devices, there remains a need for a multipurpose reusable support device for providing temporary structural support to a member such as for formwork.

SUMMARY

The disclosure of the present application addresses the above stated deficiencies with structural support devices. The multipurpose reusable support device of the present application is unique when compared with other known structural support devices because it provides a quick and convenient reusable tool that allows any size construction crew to be more productive.

The multipurpose reusable support device of the present application provides a device made from tube steel, angle iron, or the like and combined with an adjustable ratchet or turnbuckles and pivot bolts or pins at the pivot points. The device works by anchoring support to a floor, seal slab or ground while providing vertical support to the walls of formwork or similar structures requiring vertical support.

The device of the present application is also reusable which allows support of formwork while reducing the dependency on wasted material. This saves time as well as cost for both labor and materials while making the construction project safer and overall more productive.

The multipurpose reusable support device comprises a horizontal support member and a vertical support member connected at an intersecting pivot point and establishing a support angle. The horizontal support member and the vertical support member are connected via an adjustable support member such that the device forms a shape substantially similar to a triangle. The adjustable support member may further include an adjustable ratchet configured to adjust the length of the adjustable support member which in turn adjusts the support angle to fit the needs of a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a right side perspective view illustrating a multipurpose reusable support device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application; and

FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view of the multipurpose reusable support device.

While the system of the present application is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail. It should be understood that the description of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments of the system of the present application are provided herein. It should be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, various implementation-specific decisions are required to achieve the developer’s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The device in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed shortcomings commonly associated with structural support devices. Specifically, the multipurpose reusable support device incorporates a quick and cost-effective means for allowing a construction crew to provide vertical structural support such as for formwork. These and other unique features of the system are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The device should be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Various embodiments of the device may be presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the various views, FIG. 1 depicts a right side perspective view of a multipurpose reusable support device 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. Device 100 includes a horizontal support member 101 having a first end 103 and a second end 105, and a vertical support member 201 having a first end 203 and a second end 205, wherein the first end 103 of the horizontal support member 101 and the first end 203 of the vertical support member 201 are connected at an intersecting pivot point 301 forming a support angle.

The horizontal support member 101 and the vertical support member 201 when connected at the intersecting pivot point 301 are substantially perpendicular to each other. An adjustable support member 401 has a first end 403 and a second end 405. The first end 403 connects to the second end 105 of the horizontal support member 101 at a horizontal pivot point 303 and the second end 405 connects to the second end 205 of the vertical support member 201 at a vertical pivot point 305. The adjustable support member 401 connects the second end of the horizontal support member 101 and the second end of the vertical support member 201 such that the device forms a shape substantially similar to a right triangle. The adjustable support member 401 may further include an adjustable ratchet 407 allowing a user to adjust the support angle as needed for a particular application.

It should be appreciated that in certain applications a support angle of about 90 degrees relative to a floor and a wall is desirable. In other applications, a support angle of either more or less than 90 degrees relative to a floor and a wall may be desirable. The adjustable ratchet 407 allows the user to adjust the support angle to about 90 degrees or more or less depending on the user’s needs. Adjusting the support angle works by changing the length of the adjustable support member 401 via the adjustable ratchet 407 or the like, where a longer length corresponds to a support angle greater than 90 degrees and a shorter length corresponds to a support angle smaller than 90 degrees. The adjustable ratchet 407 may also allow the user to adjust the vertical support member 201 such that it is substantially parallel to the horizontal support member 101 allowing the device 100 to be more easily stored when not in use.

It should also be appreciated that the device of the present application provides an all-in-one tool that can be utilized multiple times and for multiple different purposes allowing the user to save both time and money on a project as well as increased safety.

The particular embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed herein may be altered or modified, and any such variations are considered to fall within the scope of the present application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description and the appended claims as well as any other variations and modifications falling within the scope thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multipurpose reusable support device, comprising: a horizontal support member having a first end; and a second end a vertical support member having a first end; and a second end; wherein the first end of the vertical support member connects to the first end of the horizontal support member at an intersecting pivot point to establish a support angle; an adjustable support member having a predetermined length; a first end; and a second end; wherein the first end of the adjustable support member connects to the second end of the horizontal support member at a horizontal pivot point and the second end of the adjustable support member connects to the second end of the vertical support member at a vertical pivot point; and wherein the support angle can be set for a desired application by changing the predetermined length of the adjustable support member.
 2. The multipurpose reusable support device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable support member further includes an adjustable ratchet configured to adjust the predetermined length of the adjustable support member.
 3. A method for supporting formwork, the method comprising: providing the multipurpose reusable support device of claim 1; establishing the support angle by setting the predetermined length of the adjustable support member for a desired application; and applying the multipurpose reusable support device to a formwork structure.
 4. The method for supporting formwork of claim 3, wherein the step of establishing the support angle by setting the predetermined length of the adjustable support member is done via an adjustable ratchet. 